Wisconsin may lose with 2010 census

[undeterred]

Wisconsin could be undercounted in the 2010 census because of unclear instructions and consequently could jeopardize federal funds and seats in Congress. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is warning that the census forms that will be mailed in March have inadequate instructions for people who spend the winter in southern locations but still have a permanent residence in Wisconsin.

During the 1990 and 2000 censuses, there were instructions that allowed people to state that their primary residence is elsewhere and give their address. "That isn't made possible this time around," league executive director Andrea Kaminski said. "If they've been flying south every winter for 10 years, they may think it will be the same this year as it has been in the past, and, really, what we hope they will do is not fill out that form that's mailed to their southern residence, because that's not where they live."

She urged people to wait until they return to Wisconsin. The census will make follow-up calls in May and June. The census results are used to determine Congressional seats, legislative districts and the distribution of more than $400 billion funds.

"So, if people are counted in, say, Arizona, where they only live for three months of the year, Wisconsin kind of loses out on some of that money that comes for roads and services," she said.

http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20091220/CWS0101/912200401/1980/Wisconsin-may-lose-with-2010-census